Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Maximus
BoyLatin· “greatest”
- Meaning
- greatest
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAK-sih-muhs
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #276
- US babies 2025
- 1,249
- Best rank
- #187 (2016)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Maximus
Maximus is a Latin name that means “greatest”.
Maximus is a Latin word meaning greatest. It was used as a Roman name and title, and several early saints and emperors carried it. The name gained modern popularity after the film Gladiator, in which the hero is a Roman general named Maximus. Maximus feels bold, strong and classic, and it offers a longer form for the popular nickname Max. It is well suited to parents who like Latin names with a dramatic flair, and it pairs well with simple middle names.
Popularity over time
Maximus first appears in US Social Security records in 1997. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 26 different years, starting in 2000. Its best national rank was #187 in 2016, and the most babies received it in 2014, when 2,137 were named Maximus. In 2025, 1,249 babies were named Maximus, and it ranked #276 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #851 in 2000, #234 in 2010, and #276 in 2025. Of the 34,662 US boys named Maximus since records began, 54% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 8,618 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Iker, Zayden, Jayceon, Corbin, and Jax.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maximus ranked highest in Nevada, Hawaii, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #139 | 23 |
| Hawaii | #170 | 7 |
| California | #187 | 210 |
| Arizona | #211 | 40 |
| Colorado | #214 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Maximus is usually pronounced MAK-sih-muhs, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Maximus
A few middle names that flow with Maximus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maximus
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Lists that include Maximus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maximus mean?
Maximus is a Latin name that means “greatest”.
What is the origin of the name Maximus?
Maximus has Latin roots. Maximus is a Latin word meaning greatest.
Is Maximus a popular name?
Yes. Maximus ranked #276 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Maximus a boy or girl name?
Maximus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Maximus?
Maximus is usually pronounced MAK-sih-muhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings